Sven Vath, Steve Bug & Gui Boratto @ Queensbridge, Melbourne (29/02/07)
The word legend is often over used these days. One definition of legend could be a person or thing that inspires. One man that fits that definition is Sven Vath. The excitement for this party had been brewing a long time, as it not only featured Sven Vath, but also Steve Bug – the founder of labels Poker Flat and Dessous – as well as minimal’s newest production sensation, Gui Borratto. Three great techno acts all on the one bill.
In the cab on the way to the venue I got a text from a mate asking where I was, because Steve Bug was already on fire. There wasn’t much of a queue and I thought that it might have been a bit quiet inside, but how wrong was I. Queensbridge is a large club, and it was well packed. That being said you could still easily move around and find a place on the dancefloor. There’s nothing quite like walking into a club that’s already going off! We wanted to get some drinks first, but I couldn’t take my eyes of Steve Bug. Bopping away behind the decks, the people in there were focused entirely on him. He was playing sweet tunes, gorgeous melodic techno with some nice beats.
It was great to see him enjoy it as much as the crowd, as everyone was right there with him, feeling what he was playing. Bug was using Final Scratch and an Allen & Heath Xone 92 mixer, and he had the crowd eating out of his hand. His set had a great flow to it and towards the end he picked up the pace, playing some big tracks with even bigger build ups. The music was always groovy, though! At this point more people had made their way to the dancefloor, taking up vantage points so they could get a good view of Sven Vath getting his records prepared. Bug finished to rapturous applause, and deservedly so. You could see the respect that Vath has for Bug, as he gave him his time in the spotlight and let the crowd thank him thoroughly. By now it was time for the main drawcard, the man himself, Pappa Sven. I don’t think anyone was really ready for what came next, though. It was more than just music… it was special.
The found of Cocoon Records, club owner, producer and revered by many as a man who is always doing what he can for the dance music scene – the list of accolades stacks up for Vath, and tonight we were simply there to tag along for the ride. Vath’s first track was a big rumbling number, taking off exactly where Steve Bug had left. Bug himself even gave Vath a nod of approval. I was lucky enough to be right up the front, so I could see and feel Vath’s charisma. The smiles, the smirks, the eye contact with everyone, the antics – it wasn’t just about the music, it was about love. One or two songs in he played an absolutely gorgeous track with the vocals, ‘there’s too much love’, and it had Vath cheerfully singing along. Something I noticed about Vath was that he was a tight and short mixer, and he didn’t take long to cue a track. He would also remove his headphones, seeming to know his music inside out. He brought the tracks in at the most perfect time, and this helped aid the flow and keep the vibe lifted.
Speaking of the vibe… WOW! Vath definitely brought a vibe with him, in fact you could say he IS the vibe. There was an incredible feeling in the club, and it was due in no uncertain terms to Vath. He has an incredible persona, very friendly, almost as if he’s there just for you. He is larger than life but always welcoming. Even Bug and Boratto were dancing with him behind the decks. The crowd was right there with him throughout the set, and I have to say it was one of the best crowds I’ve been part of. Everyone was friendly with smiles on their faces, ready to tell you how excited they were that Sven had finally come back.
His set was filled with big beats and light melodies, the latter almost gentle enough it could put babies to sleep. Notable tracks that I could identify were Supermayer ‘Two Of Us’ and Plastikman ‘Spastic’, which absolutely tore the roof off the place! I am always weary of DJs using big name tracks in their sets, as I feel they should be used to highlight new music. Vath’s set was so good, however, that this was a highlight… a very big one! Just as you thought it couldn’t get any wilder, I looked up to see Vath having removed his shirt, with it tied around his head like a turban! His last hour was filled with absolutely massive tracks, to keep the pace up. His smile was getting bigger right until the point he cued his last track, a beautiful one that was light and provided some relief from the joyous belting we’d received for the past 3 hours.
Gui Boratto was up next with a live set. A great producer with many underground hits to his name, this was an eagerly awaited performance. However, after the frenetic pace of Sven, Boratto seemed quite a bit more chilled in comparison. It was filled with lush beats and beautiful sounds, but it was hard to keep motivated by this stage of the night. Sven Vath, the legend, had put on one of the most incredible performances I’ve ever seen. I was gobsmacked, it was more than I could have ever wished for. I’m thankful for being part of this experience, and I thank Sven Vath for giving me a reason to tell everyone I know why he’s such a legend!
trashy says...
my review could never do this night justice, it was a one off
hughdkelly says...
hughdkelly says...
I have seen many times in the UK
raiamino says...
Sven was huge... biggest show pony I've ever seen :)
jmea says...
great review. i couldnt go but reading this was just as good!
Marshy says...
Way to make me feel even more bad about missing it Trashy :-( Great review
trashy says...
ahahha thanks guys
HungryHippo says...
Top review Trashy :) Only just noticed it. Sven Vath @ Future was by far the best set i have seen this year, i deeply regret not going to see him at home two days before (i couldnt do three nights out in a row)